Air

Tracking the latest agency and congressional debates over rules to cut emissions of traditional pollutants, and a broad range of novel EPA policies including the agency's shift to a "multipollutant" regulatory approach for individual sectors.

Topic Subtitle
Tracking the latest agency and congressional debates over rules to cut emissions of traditional pollutants, and a broad range of novel EPA policies including the agency's shift to a "multipollutant" regulatory approach for individual sectors.

SCANDAL COULD FORCE SCRUTINY OF EPA POLICIES, GRASSROOTS EFFORTS

In the wake of the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, ramped-up congressional efforts to curtail influence-peddling on Capitol Hill could spark new scrutiny of EPA policymaking, first-time rules on environmentalists' grassroots efforts and funding limits for earmarked projects that have contributed to the agency's dwindling budget in recent years. Some of the pending House and Senate lobbying reform bills would shed new light on lobbyists' meetings with EPA officials, which could demonstrate the influence that certain organizations may have on EPA...

LANDMARK OKLAHOMA CAFO LITIGATION FACES SUPREME COURT HURDLE

The state of Oklahoma's efforts to hold concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) liable under federal Superfund law for animal wastes is facing a challenge from its neighboring state of Arkansas, which is asking the Supreme Court to intervene on constitutional grounds. The recent high court filings by the states mark the latest action in a long-running dispute between the two states over water quality in the region, where numerous CAFOs and other agricultural facilities are located. It also follows a...

RESEARCHERS EYE POLLUTION PREVENTION BENEFITS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY

Researchers at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars next month will launch a major effort aimed at using cutting-edge nanotechnology processes in manufacturing to reduce the use of toxic chemicals and the production of wastes that trigger costly management and regulatory requirements. The Wilson Center's "green nano" project is part of the group's broader efforts to identify issues about managing the environmental and human health risks that nanotechnology might pose. The Wilson Center on Jan. 11 released a report,...

NEW NANOTECH LAW SHOULD FOCUS ON LIMITING RISKS, KEY REPORT URGES

A just-released report on addressing risks posed by nanomaterials is recommending that any new law regulating the technology focus on preventing risks posed by the emerging products, as opposed to the remediation of pollution and exposure, which most current environmental laws target. The law would focus on the products, not the environment, because once the "materials gets into the environment, it is probably too late to take remedial measures," the report says. The suggestions come as observers expect Congress to...

STATES BACK NEW ENERGY, SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS IN EPA STRATEGIC PLAN

States are asking EPA to include new priorities in its next strategic plan that focus on integrating sustainability and promoting renewable fuels and energy efficiency to better address what they say are emerging issues not adequately addressed in previous years. In comments published on EPA's Web site Jan. 12, states call for new goals in the next agency strategic plan that focus on energy, sustainability and other priority issues such as mercury pollution, funding and enforcement. EPA regions consolidated comments...

STUDY ON FORESTS' RISKS MAY HOBBLE POLICIES ON 'SINKS' FOR CO2 EMISSIONS

A recently published study detailing potential water and soil damage caused by planting trees to capture and store carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions -- which are known as carbon "sinks" -- could complicate EPA and other groups' policies to encourage the practice as a way to slow global warming, according to one of the study's authors. Tree planting to create carbon "sinks" is considered a viable way to reduce the effects of global warming, since trees naturally absorb CO2. For example,...

New Research May Further Delay EPA's Troubled Vapor Intrusion Guidance

The upcoming release of new findings on how wind can affect indoor air pollution caused by groundwater and soil contaminants, a phenomenon known as vapor intrusion, may further complicate EPA efforts to develop guidance for determining public health risks. Industry has long opposed efforts by EPA and states to provide guidance on vapor intrusion, and the new findings could further delay the agency's release of an updated guide. The research also comes as EPA scientists are raising new concerns over...

FORMER EPA CHIEF REILLY URGES PREPARATION OF GLOBAL WARMING POLICIES

Former EPA Administrator William Reilly is urging agency staff to lay the analytical groundwork for policies to curb global warming, saying such action could help the agency be "constructive" at a time when political will on the issue is lacking. Reilly's comments came at a Jan. 18 EPA-sponsored event to mark the 35th anniversary of the agency's creation, where former agency administrators generally criticized policymakers, including the Bush administration, for not doing enough on global warming and other emerging environmental...

A.G. SUIT OVER CONSTRUCTION EMISSIONS AIMS TO SEND INDUSTRY MESSAGE

A lawsuit filed last week by Attorney General (AG) Bill Lockyer (D) against a construction company alleging multiple violations of state and local air rules aims to send a strong message to the industry that enforcement of engine standards is a new priority, said a state attorney. The legal action is especially relevant in view of air board efforts to substantially tighten portable engine regulation affecting the industry, which includes stronger enforcement by local air districts. Lockyer Jan. 12 sued...

ARB TESTS ON INDOOR BUILDING AIR SEEN LEADING TO NEW STANDARDS

Air board research into the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of small and medium office buildings is likely to lead to new building energy and ventilation standards and possibly first-ever limits on emissions from certain indoor products. The board, which has already completed surveys of IEQ in new homes, was expected this week to be granted an additional $1.6 million by the energy commission to complete the building research. The Air Resources Board research on small and medium office buildings will...

LANDMARK CLEAN AIR PERMIT RULING FACES INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT APPEAL

The Bush administration, industry officials and a key state are raising concerns about the potentially sweeping impact of an appellate court decision late last year that could require industry to resolve alleged Clean Air Act violations as part of their air permits, even if the allegations have not been substantiated in court. Environmentalists support the decision because it could require air permits to mandate compliance with key air quality requirements that are the subject of pending enforcement actions against a...

CARPER CONSIDERS CHANGES TO CLEAN AIR BILL, PROMPTING ACTIVIST FEARS

Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE) is considering whether to alter his long-stalled clean air legislation that would reduce emissions of four key air pollutants, changes environmentalists fear could be concessions to the utility industry in an effort to win Republican support and the bill's passage. Carper told Inside EPA in a Jan. 18 interview that his staff is meeting with the utility industry, environmental groups and other senators' offices in order "to see what changes if any we should make" to...

EPA ANALYSIS OF PM PROPOSAL FACES CRITICISM FOR INFLATING COSTS

EPA's new cost-benefit analysis of its proposed fine particulate matter (PM2.5) regulation is prompting criticism from Democrats and environmentalists, who say it may inflate the cost of implementing the proposal by emphasizing local controls over less-costly regional strategies. The critics are concerned that the allegedly flawed analysis could undermine federal efforts to impose region-wide emissions controls on problematic sources of pollution that contribute to PM2.5 pollution, such as electric utilities or motor vehicles. "It seems like what's going on, instead,...

Landmark Clean Air Permit Ruling Faces Industry, Government Appeal

The Bush administration, industry officials and a key state are raising concerns about the potentially sweeping impact of an appellate court decision late last year that could require industry to resolve alleged Clean Air Act violations as part of their air permits, even if the allegations have not been substantiated in court. Environmentalists support the decision because it could require air permits to mandate compliance with key air quality requirements that are the subject of pending enforcement actions against a...

EPA Analysis Of PM Proposal Faces Criticism For Inflating Costs

EPA's new cost-benefit analysis of its proposed fine particulate matter (PM2.5) regulation is prompting criticism from Democrats and environmentalists, who say it may inflate the cost of implementing the proposal by emphasizing local controls over less-costly regional strategies. The critics are concerned that the allegedly flawed analysis could undermine federal efforts to impose region-wide emissions controls on problematic sources of pollution that contribute to PM2.5 pollution, such as electric utilities or motor vehicles. "It seems like what's going on, instead,...

Former EPA Chief Reilly Urges Agency To Move On Global Warming

Former EPA administrator William Reilly is urging agency staff to lay the analytical groundwork for policies to curb global warming, saying such action could help the agency be "constructive" at a time when political willingness to proceed on the issue appears tepid. Reilly's comments came at a Jan. 18 EPA-sponsored event to mark the 35th anniversary of the agency's creation, where former agency administrators generally criticized policymakers, including the Bush administration, for not doing enough on global warming and other...

Human Rights Finding On Climate Change Could Spur Activist Lawsuits

A recent human rights petition accusing the United States of inaction on global warming could encourage future lawsuits from environmentalists against government agencies or corporations by establishing for the first time an obligation under international law for the United States to address climate change, activists tracking the petition say. A member of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, which represents indigenous peoples in the Arctic regions of the United States and Canada, filed the petition in December with the Inter American Commission...

Labor Interests, Trial Lawyers Criticize EPA Asbestos Abatement Plan

A new method EPA is proposing to control waste and air emissions from asbestos in buildings being demolished is receiving criticism from labor unions and trial lawyers, who say the plan may violate worker protection and environmental laws and does not reflect typical demolition efforts involving the contaminant, which is a known carcinogen. But municipal government groups support the new method because it is cheaper and less burdensome than the traditional methods that require removing all asbestos before demolition. EPA...

LANDMARK OKLAHOMA CAFO LITIGATION FACES SUPREME COURT HURDLE

The state of Oklahoma's efforts to hold concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) liable under federal Superfund law for animal wastes is facing a challenge from its neighboring state of Arkansas, which is asking the Supreme Court to intervene on constitutional grounds. The recent high court filings by the states mark the latest action in a long-running dispute between the two states over water quality in the region, where numerous CAFOs and other agricultural facilities are located. It also follows a...

NEW NANOTECH LAW SHOULD FOCUS ON LIMITING RISKS, KEY REPORT URGES

A just-released report on addressing risks posed by nanomaterials is recommending that any new law regulating the technology focus on preventing risks posed by the emerging products, as opposed to the remediation of pollution and exposure, which most current environmental laws target. The law would focus on the products, not the environment, because once the "materials gets into the environment, it is probably too late to take remedial measures," the report says. The suggestions come as observers expect Congress will...

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